scholarly journals Identifying the Barriers to Change in the UK Housebuilding Industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Siebert ◽  
Lucelia Rodrigues ◽  
Mark Gillott ◽  
Emma Hines ◽  
David Rich
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1593-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Riise Johansen ◽  
Thomas Plenborg

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how and the extent to which barriers to change inhibit new ideas about note disclosures to manifest themselves in annual reports. Design/methodology/approach The study employs regulation theory and draws on case studies in Denmark and the UK to understand compliance motivations and, on that basis, to identify the barriers to and enablers of changes to note disclosures in annual reports. Findings It is demonstrated how certain characteristics of the annual report preparation process can dampen the potential for change. It is also shown how preparer perceptions of oversight agents (auditors, enforcers, audit committees) have effects on disclosure behaviour. These characteristics appear to cause defensiveness among the actors involved in the process, inhibiting changes. In contrast, enablers are related to trust in regulatory enforcement, facilitation from enforcers, user orientation and shared understanding among functional groups involved in the preparation process. Practical implications The preparation of notes is susceptible to the influence of a range of factors, such as company politics, perceptions of enforcement styles and actors’ concerns about being blamed for inappropriate responses to regulation. These findings could be considered by regulators, auditors and preparers in enhancing understanding of their respective roles in the annual report preparation process. Originality/value This study illuminates the conditions that facilitate change when new ideas are introduced to a highly normative and detailed field. The study contributes to previous research by providing a fieldwork-based analysis of the practices, judgements, discussions and actors involved in the preparation of note disclosures.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah-Jane F. Stewart ◽  
Jane Ogden

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how individuals with overweight and obesity living in the UK respond to the public health and media messaging surrounding COVID-19 and obesity.Design/methodology/approachQualitative interview study with a think aloud protocol. A total of 10 participants self-reported to have overweight, obesity or as actively trying to lose weight were recruited through social media and were asked to think aloud whilst exposed to four sets of public health and media materials describing the link between COVID-19 and obesity. Interviews were conducted over zoom, recorded and transcribed verbatim.FindingsThree primary themes were identified through thematic analysis: “flawed messaging”, “COVID-19 as a teachable moment” and “barriers to change”. Transcending these themes was the notion of balance. Whilst the messaging around COVID-19 and obesity was deemed problematic; for some, it was a teachable moment to facilitate change when their future self and physical health was prioritised. Yet, when focussing on their mental health in the present participants felt more overwhelmed by the barriers and were less likely to take the opportunity to change.Practical implicationsFindings hold implications for public health messaging, highlighting the need for balance between being educational and informative but also supportive, so as to achieve maximum efficacy.Originality/valueThis study offers a novel and useful insight into how the public health and media messaging concerning COVID-19 risk and obesity is perceived by those with overweight and obesity.


1992 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Barlow ◽  
A King

The objective in this paper is to compare the competitive strategies of the housebuilding industry in the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden. It is focused on the relationship between the different mechanisms by which the housing market is regulated and the competitive methods adopted by firms in each country. By using a detailed study of over 100 firms in the three countries, it is argued that there is a relationship between the forms of market regulation, the level of uncertainty and risk faced by housebuilders, and their profit-making strategies. Finally, some of the implications of the findings for the UK housebuilding industry in the 1990s are considered.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document